History

Former plant breeder Dr. Tom Starling working in the field

1888-1890:
Variety tests were initiated in wheat, tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, onions, and cabbages.
Fertilizer experiments were initiated in wheat.
Ftab
1891-1904:
Fertilizer tests in corn were initiated in 1892.
Sorghum, corn, cowpeas, and soybeans were evaluated for forage use in 1901.
1904-1907:
Variety tests with winter wheat, fall-sown oats, spring oats, cowpeas, soybeans, millet, sorghum, potatoes, sugar beets, mangels, turnips, and other crops.
Dates of seeding tests with wheat, oats, barley, rye, corn, and crimson clover.
Selection experiments in winter wheat, oats, and barley were initiated.
1904-1907:
In 1906, Prof. H.L. Price initiated a series of experiments in crossbreeding and hybridization of tomatoes to verify Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance and to develop improved strains of tomatoes.
1908-1915:
Selection of improved strains of varieties of corn was initiated and selection of improved strains of small grain varieties was continued.
1921-1945:
Plant breeding programs which incorporated hybridization in the development of novel cultivars were initiated in the early to mid 1940s.
R.P. Cocke made selections among the alfalfa variety Kansas Common from which ‘Williamsburg’ alfalfa was released in 1947.
In the late 1920s, J.H. Beattie (USDA) and E.T. Batten developed the peanut varieties Holland Virginia Runner and Holland Jumbo.
Prior to 1946, the wheat varieties Vahart (Redhart selection) and V.P.I. 131 (Fulcaster selection) were developed.
In 1942, the flue-cured tobacco variety Yellow Special was developed.
Dr. S.A. Wingard initiated research on the genetic behavior of disease resistance in plants in 1918, and developed 10 varieties of snap beans, emphasizing rust resistance.
Dr. Boyd Harshbarger initiated the use of randomization, replication, and small plots in research to estimate variety effects. Prior to this, a difference of 20 bushels was required in corn to certify significance.
1945-1966:
Dr. C.F. Genter developed 8 corn hybrids between 1951-1959 and 14 yellow dent inbreds were released between 1961-1966.
From 1952 to 1966, three peanut varieties were released.
From 1948 to 1966, James barley and four oat varieties were released.
Dr. T.J. Smith cooperatively released five soybean varieties between 1946-1966.
Nineteen tobacco varieties were released between 1946-1966.